Jeremiah 8:4-17

Jeremiah 8:4-17

[4] Moreover thou shalt say  the LORD;  Shall they fall,  and not arise?  shall he turn away,  [5] Why then is this people  of Jerusalem  slidden back  backsliding?  they hold  fast deceit,  they refuse  to return.  [6] I hearkened  and heard,  but they spake not aright:  no man  repented  him of  his wickedness,  saying,  What have I done?  every one turned  to his course,  as the horse  rusheth  into the battle.  [7] Yea, the stork  in the heaven  knoweth  her appointed times;  and the turtle  and the crane  and the swallow  observe  the time  of their coming;  but my people  know  not the judgment  of the LORD.  [8] How do ye say,  We are wise,  and the law  of the LORD  is with us? Lo, certainly  in vain  made  he it; the pen  of the scribes  is in vain.  [9] The wise  they are dismayed  and taken:  lo, they have rejected  the word  of the LORD;  and what wisdom  is in them? [10] Therefore will I give  their wives  unto others,  and their fields  to them that shall inherit  them: for every one from the least  even unto the greatest  is given  to covetousness,  from the prophet  even unto the priest  every one dealeth  falsely.  [11] For they have healed  the hurt  of the daughter  of my people  slightly,  saying,  Peace,  [12] Were they ashamed  when they had committed  abomination?  nay, they were not at all  neither could  they blush:  therefore shall they fall  in the time  of their visitation  they shall be cast down,  saith  the LORD.  [13] I will surely  consume  them, saith  there shall be no grapes  on the vine,  nor figs  and the leaf  shall fade;  and the things that I have given  them shall pass away  [14] Why do we sit still?  assemble  yourselves, and let us enter  into the defenced  cities,  and let us be silent  there: for the LORD  our God  hath put us to silence,  and given us water  of gall  to drink,  because we have sinned  against the LORD.  [15] We looked  for peace,  but no good  came; and for a time  of health,  and behold trouble!  [16] The snorting  of his horses  was heard  from Dan:  the whole land  trembled  at the sound  of the neighing  of his strong ones;  for they are come,  and have devoured  the land,  and all  that is in it; the city,  and those that dwell  therein. [17] For, behold, I will send  serpents,  cockatrices,  among you, which will not be charmed,  and they shall bite  you, saith  the LORD.